Vehicle-coupling.



W. FORTHMANN. VEHICLE UOUPLING. ABPLIGATION FILED MAB. 2s, 1911.

Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

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wlan-.Ina4 ronsgnann, rossmann To aZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, WALTER FORTHMANN, residing at 15 Waldermarstrasse, Potsdam, Prussia, Germany, new and usefulImprovements in and -Connected with Vehicle-Couplers, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to improvements in and connected with vehicle couplers, and is particularly adapted for use on vehicles which form a trackless train.

The principal object of my inventionis to so couple a leading andfollowing vehicle that the axes of oscillation of the axles thereof are all equidistant from a common center, when the `vehicles'are drawn in a curved path of movement, with thelongitudinal axes of eaclr axle.V radiating from said common center. Y

Other objects of my invention are to dispose and proportion certain of the elements forming a part of my invention that they may be constructed in a simple and et`ucie`nt manner, to suit the particular circumstances at hand, that is, to provide means which with a certain ratioof elements disposed in coaeting relation, according to my invention, any person skilled in the art may adapt the invention to vehicles of different sizes, and rovide the proper clearance between vehic es in order to successfully round curves.

-Inthe drawing, forming a part of this the invention is shown by way of example, Aas applied to a leading vehicle .A and-a followlng vehicle B, the vehicles being drawn in a curved path of movement. The vehicle A is provided with a wheeled axle c pivoted as at o', so that the axis r to the longitudinal axis of the axle may assume any desirable anO'le of the vehicle body. Likewise, vehicle B is provided with wheeled axles'a and b ivoted as at 0 and 02, respectively. In or er that the ,axes r and r2 of axles a and b, respectively,l will, at all times assume the same angular position with respect to the longitudinal axis of thevehicle, I connect theV sald .axles a and Specilgatjpn #Letters Qatent. lApplication.inea march 2s, 1 911.

have y invented certain.

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Patented sepa-16, 1913. ser1a1x0 e17,`4e'1.

2) with-rods c and c, or any other antiparallel mechanism. The centers of oscilf lation 0 and 02 are connected by draw bar s, which, of course, dependent upon the spacing of the axles a and b. rThe centers of oscillation o and o are connected by draw bar t which is of such a length so as to permit the leading vehicle Ajand following vehicle B to travel in an arc shaped pathl of a practical radius, without engaging each other. Having determined the length of draw bar t, from center o' to o, I element or pin m at any convenient distance from center o. Having determined the length of draw bar s from center o2 to o I position a guide element or pin y on draw bar t, at a distance determined by the simple proportion o-o: o-:m: 02-0: o that is, the length of the draw bar between oand o is proportionate to o Upon axle a. I mount a bar 7c slotted as at 7c', to receive the said guide elements or pins rv and y, this bar being disposed with its slotc at right angles to the axle a in substantially a horizontal plane, and movable longitudinally of axle a, preferably through a bearing fm. embracing said axle. .The operation of the device is as follows: When the cars are drawn in a circular path of movement, the draw bar t, through pin y, causes the bar to move with respect to the axle a longitudinally of the latter. This movement is restricted to a certain extent by the pin a: on draw bar s so that the centers o', o and o2 are all intersected by an arc drawn from the point of intersection of axis 7', 1". and r2 of axles c, a and b, respectively. For any practical path of movement described as an arc, this intersection of the axle centers takes lace when the pins y d) in proportion to draw bar s and t, respectively, as described. I claim In vehicle couplers of the character de- -scribed the comblnation with a leading and a following vehicle, of a slotted link seis of predetermined length' position on draw bar s a guide axle of the following vehicle and both axles cured to a bearing on the front axle of the positively guiding tlle axlesA of a, train of' following vehicle at fk substantially a right cars in a circular path over the mail. 10 nnwlethereto, bars t, s connecting the rear In testimon whereof I ax my signature axle of the leading vehicle with the front in presence o two witnesses.

WALTER FORTHMANN. of the following yehicle respectively, pins Witnesses: m, y upon said bars at redetermined omts HENRY HASPER, thereof entering the s ot of said lin for WOLDEMAR HAUPT. 

